WAYNE, N.J., August 10, 2009 - When the smoke cleared Hankook Tire was once again on the podium following this weekend’s Formula Drift event at Seattle’s Evergreen Speedway. Eric O’Sullivan successfully piloted his Rockstar Energy Drink/Hankook Tire Subaru WRX Sti to a career-best second place finish, marking the first time that Hankook has scored back-to-back podium finishes in Formula Drift and the first time that O’Sullivan has stood on the podium.

Formula Drift: Breaking Point is usually one of the more anticipated events on the drift calendar, as the Pacific Northwest has some of the more rabid drift fans in the country. Originally built as a horse racing track, Evergreen Speedway now stands as one of the more demanding stops on the circuit, with high banks and very tight transitions.

Qualifying 13th, Ireland’s O’Sullivan deftly maneuvered his way through four elimination rounds, eventually losing to winner Chris Forsberg. “A new team, new car and new tracks to learn has been an immense challenge this year,” O’Sullivan said following the podium ceremony. “Thanks to the help of Dynamic Autosports, Rockstar Energy Drink and these great Hankook tires I have been able to realize my dream of placing on the podium in my first season.”

Aside from O’Sullivan, Hankook drivers Tanner Foust, Robbie Nishida and Ryuji Miki all qualified well and finished in the Top 16. All four Hankook drivers are squarely in the Top 20, with both Foust and Nishida still easily within striking distance of the Top 3 with two events to go. All Hankook drivers compete using the Ventus R-S3 tire.

With four total podium finishes this year including Tanner Foust’s win in Vegas, this marks Hankook Tire’s best season yet in Formula Drift competition. There’s a quick turnaround for all the teams as Formula Drift: Locked and Loaded takes place August 21 to 22 in Sonoma, Calif., at Infineon Raceway.

About Hankook TireWayne, N.J., Hankook Tire America Corp. is a technology-focused, market-driven company that markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires to more than 400 independent dealers through 3000+ retail sales locations in the United States and Canada.

For more information, please visit the Hankook website at www.hankooktireusa.com.